For the first time since 2000, all 120 Kentucky counties posted single-digit unemployment rates in the most recent reporting period, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics.
In November 2018, Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate at 2.5 percent, followed by Boone, Fayette, Oldham, Scott, Shelby, and Spencer Counties at 2.7 percent. Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate in November at 9.9 percent.
Grayson County posted a 4.9 percent jobless rate in November, up from 4.4 percent in November 2017.
Counties surrounding Grayson County had November jobless rates between 3.2 and 4.2 percent — Ohio and Breckinridge Counties posted 4.2 percent unemployment rates; Edmonson 4.0, Butler 3.8, Hardin 3.3, and Hart 3.2. Other nearby counties posted similar jobless rates: Warren 3.0, LaRue, Daviess and Hancock Counties recorded 3.2 percent unemployment rates; Barren 3.6, McLean 3.8, Meade 3.9, and Muhlenberg 4.9.
Grayson County’s unemployment in 2018 (excluding December) hovered between a high of 6.2 percent in July to a low of 4.1 percent in April.
The Kentucky Center for Statistics said Kentucky’s county jobless rates are not seasonally adjusted due to small sample sizes. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for Kentucky and the United States for the month of November was 3.5 percent.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
